Beginner Help - Gluing Deck to Hull

I use gel CA when I need a slow setting glue.  Gel CA is thicker, too, which allows bonding even when there may be slight gaps or uneven surfaces.  Regular thin CA requires perfect matching of surfaces.  The gel CA I use is Locktite brand.

I suspect you may be brushing the tamiya fast set cement? The extra thin type cements are not to be brushed, instead, you hold the 2 pieces in position then dip the tip of the glue brush into the gap letting it flow via capillary action. It works by melting the plastic between the 2 pieces and join them together when set.

Having said that, the extra thin cements may not be ideal for 1/350 kits, esp the old ones  due to age/mold deteriation there may not be a perfect mating surfaces/there are gaps. Any model cement will do in that case - these can be brushed on then press the parts in place (hold with tape if necessary) until dry.

For a wood deck with no self adhesive try spray contact cement like "Sprayment".

Dont try to make glue hold the deck down flat. It will evtually buckle and fail. 
Trim as needed so the deck lays flat on its own.

Bill

You can use the tube glue or the Testors glue in the black triangluar container with the long metal tube.   One thing I do is tape down the deck but don't put glue too close to the tape.  Once the deck is in place, you can remove the tape and use the glue of your choice on the next section.  I have been using the Tamiya liquid glues and just hold the piece in place until it hardens.  It doesn't take long, and then I move on to the next spot.  I just laid a new deck on my now modified Prince of Wales warship.

actual wood deck or plastic deck? i use testors red & white tube plastic glue to glue styrene plastics together. that is what i used in this link. http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=165105